Interesting. It’s always interesting. But does it tell us anything we didn’t already know? Not unless there’s more to this story than an agent whispering sweet $$$ to a reporter…

Let’s get to the details…

* The story suggests that Baron and/or his representatives are unhappy with the Warriors’ reluctance to pay him great gobs of money in an mega-extension. WELL HOW SHOCKING.

Baron wants $$. The Warriors so far haven’t coughed it up. He’s 29. He can get ornery. His agent wants money. Voila!

* As a result, apparently a BD associate is checking around with other teams to measure interest in a free-agent deal should he opt-out of his remaining one year and $17.8M or should he not opt-out but demand a trade.

NO KIDDING. I thought Baron would be happy forever in a Warriors uniform. (Sarcasm attack.)

Do I think the Warriors would trade Baron if they could get something? YES. I think I might’ve suggested that 10 or 50 times so far this off-season. But only if it’s a good deal.

* One team Baron Camp might be eyeing is YOU GUESSED IT… the Knicks. WHO ARE OVER THE CAP, I shyly point out.

So yes. Oh my! Sound the alarm! BD MIGHT BE GOING TO THE KNICKS! (Or better yet: Huzzah throughout the Warriors Nation. BD might be opting himself out of town!)

—Sorry, I do have to throw some water on the all the excitement: This is a fun, kooky NON-STARTER. There isn’t much to this until Baron starts screaming he wants the Warriors to trade him.

A trade demand probably will happen. But all this stuff is just agents whispering to reporters and nothing actually happening that means anything.

This is the same old story, repeated every summer by the New York papers (just change the name to Baron this year)–at some point, every unhappy big-named player is rumored to go to the Knicks.

And yet, not every unhappy big-named player can actually go to the Knicks, especially now that Isiah Thomas isn’t running things any more.

Hey, I’m sure somebody close to Davis told somebody that he wanted out from the Bay Area. I’m sure BD may think he has to get out.

So it’s interesting to hear if Baron really is so desperate that he’s readying a trade demand or he’s egging on the Knicks (or Newsday, at the very least–but unfortunately, Newsday is even more over the cap than the Knicks.)

Look at this with some common sense…

As the story points out and we have been discussing for a year or more, Davis has $17.8M due to him next season–if he opts-out, he loses that money and nobody else is going to pay him anything near that.

So what’s Davis’ control in this situation? None. Not if he wants the $17.8M. END OF REAL STORY, pretty much, and then you start wandering into New York Knick Fairyland, as we always do in NBA summertime.

Believe me, if Baron opts-out on June 30, I’ll salute him. That’d take guts. I actually dare him to do that. Do it, BD, prove me wrong.

He’ll be braving the free free market and he will have $0 guaranteed and very few teams under the cap to pay him anything close to even $10M.

INCLUDING THE KNICKS, by the way. They’re way, way, way over because of a former policy of trading for every overweight post player and washed up point guard in the history of the NBA.

The most the Knicks could offer Davis in unrestricted free agency is the mid-level exception, which would start him at $5.7M and that’s a lot less than $17.8M.

So that’s not much of a threat or a temptation, I’d say.

The article suggests Baron wants to opt-out then fashion a sign-and-trade to a team that wants him and will pay him… LIKE THE KNICKS!

That’s a way for an over-the-cap team (like the Knicks) to pay Baron big money if they can give back the Warriors a similar amount of combined salaries.

But why would the Warriors do that? To take Zach Randolph? No. Eddy Curry? No.

Stephon Marbury? No.

The Knicks’ No. 6 overall pick plus one of those horrid contracts? No, because Baron can’t be traded until after July 9, presuming he doesn’t give written notification that he’s NOT opting out before the draft.

Maybe Baron will do that. Maybe he’ll tell the Warriors on June 26, draft night, that he’s not opting out (if he tells them he is opting out, they can’t trade him because he’ll have no contract).

Maybe, if BD says he’s NOT opting-out, there’s a deal possible–Marbury (expiring deal after next season) plus the No. 6 and maybe plus David Lee for Baron plus No. 14, with salary ballast to help the deal.

(I guess there’s another surreptitious way: BD doesn’t opt-out or doesn’t indicate either way by draft night, but Warriors and Knicks agree to a deal, Knicks pick 6th for Warriors then wait until July 9 to finish the trade, BD for Marbury plus drafted player. I’m highly dubious that would pass NBA muster.)

Why would the Knicks do Marbury plus pick for BD? Davis would demand a contract extension–he’s not signing any one-year deal, I’ll tell you that… That’s the whole point: BD wants to get paid. The whole point.

So the Knicks would have to pay him four- or five-years, $60M or $70M or more. And how does that help the Knicks?

That is exactly the kind of garbage that ruined the Isiah Era–all they did was exchange expiring huge deals for bigger long-term deals over and over in a Ponzi Scheme that got them Marbury, Randolph, Stevie Francis, Curry and the rest…

So they want to make Baron the new Marbury? Yep, right back into the lottery for them in 2009. Then trade Baron for, I don’t know, the 2015 rights to Bob Cousy?

You know, I’m sure every agent is still hoping the Knicks are paying crazy money to aging former stars… It’s right in the Agent Handbook: Call Isiah if you can’t get ridiculous money from anybody else.

But Isiah’s gone. The Knicks are going to run this right, I think. That means sitting tight, letting your big contracts expire, seeing what you can do in the summer of 2010 when Dwyane Wade and LeBron James can become free agents.

Mike D’Antoni respects Baron… but you think he’d risk total rebuilding in 2010 to have Baron’s tweaky hamstrings running the show now? How Isiah.

Donnie Walsh isn’t Isiah Thomas, no matter how much the New York papers dream of that.

OK, say Baron doesn’t opt-out. Good assumption.

What he and his agent might do is demand a trade, while maintaining the $17.8M–that way he can cause a lot of trouble and yet keep all his guaranteed money.

He could become a major, major pain in the butt, as we know. While counting his money. As we know. That’s BD. Great player, major potential headache at all times.

Baron and his agent don’t really have another play, so yeah, I could see that. In fact, now that I think about it, I’d guess they do it at some point between now and July 9–no opt out, trade demand.

Can’t wait for the headline: BARON DEMANDS TRADE BUT KEEPS $17.8M. Perfect. It’s really who he is. I expect this.

But hmm. Remember, the Warriors don’t have to do anything. They especially don’t have to panic and trade for somebody else’s dumb contract and bad players just because Baron is telling them to.

Again: That’d be Isiah-style. I know the New York reporters are used to that kind of thinking… but other teams don’t necessarily have to act like their sainted former GM and panic at every new development.

If Baron doesn’t opt out but demands a trade, there are some potential good ones out there for the Warriors… My deal is Elton Brand (double sign-and-trade), as you know…

(Months ago, I suggested using the trade exception–Baron for Elton straight up and entice the Clips by taking Cuttino Mobley with the TE, but oh well, that can’t happen due to deadline rules since neither Baron nor Brand can be traded until after the TE expires.)

OK, getting the 6th pick from the Knicks would be tempting for Chris Mullin. If he could do that, maybe he’d think about it. But again: Why would Donnie Walsh do that? Just to please Todd Ramasar?

And again, you couldn’t trade Baron on draft night, so you probably couldn’t arrange to pick for the Knicks at the 6th slot, so if they end up taking someone Don Nelson doesn’t want, say, Anthony Randolph, there’s no chance at this.

—-Here’s what really got me from the Newsday story, but I’ve waited this long: The reporter mentions that a source close to Monta Ellis says that he “definitely has eyes” for the Knicks’ new uptempo style.

Classic New York summer phrasing. Writing that the Knicks are the only team left in the universe that can spend money and of course everybody wants to play for them.

Umm… I hate to point out that Ellis is a restricted free agent. The Knicks are way, way over the cap. As Newsday notes, the Knicks can only offer Ellis the mid-level. And the Warriors can match anything.

Yet Newsday warns that if the Warriors match the Knicks’ mid-level offer, the Warriors might not have enough money to re-sign Andris Biedrins, too.

Are you kidding me? If the Warriors got Ellis at a salary starting at $5.7M (by matching a mid-level offer sheet), they’d have about $4M EXTRA per year to use to sign Biedrins.

Mullin would be jumping for joy if Ellis brought him back a multi-year MLE offer sheet. Does Newsday not know that?

The story also suggests, well, maybe the Knicks can do a sign-and-trade for Ellis. Involving… whom?

Thank you for the entertainment. This is the official beginning of the Silly Season.

I expect a Baron Trade Demand at any point now. And I still don’t expect him to move… unless there’s a great deal out there.

Sad for BD: the louder he gets, the less likely it is that the Warriors will find a deal they like to trade him.

He’ll have to sit and take his $17.8M next season and probably be overpaid by $7M or $8M. How horrible for him.

Tim Kawakami

Post navigation

Tim, this rumor did not come from the Knicks. So it is nothing more than somebody’s wishful thinking. That’s a lot of column to devote to somebody’s wishful thinking. And I agree, the Warriors can do nothing and should do nothing unless the transaction improves the team.

Tyler

Damn Tim, tell us how you really feel, haha. Good stuff

Peter

Always love the analysis Tim. I totally agree with you in every respect. I am done with the BD era and so should everyone else. I would love it if we got Steph, the number 6 and david lee for BD, the 14th and the TE. Steph is gone in a year and you never know what Nellie could do with him in a new non-poisonous environment. David Lee would finally give us that low post presence we always wanted. And we could use the 6th to address the gaping hole at backup SF(Gallinari) or get a young point guard we could groom(Bayless, Westbrook, Gordon). Its a perfect situation. A situation that will probably never happen, but a good one anyway…

Darren

Tim, do you really see the Warriors using the trade exception before it expires? I don’t think the Warriors are going to get a good enough offer for Cohan to agree to taking on that much extra salary, especially with Monta and Andris’ extensions and Baron’s status up in the air. What are the odds that the Warriors will use it? 2%?

NSD

People from NY are very, very stupid…

…very stupid.

Bluejohn

I almost feel sorry for Baron (I said almost, I mean not at all). His last, huge, almost mega contract is just expiring at the wrong time. A couple of years ago who knows what he could could have been extended or signed for. Under this CBA even the most dense GM will not be throwing the kind of money at BD that I’m sure he feels is his due.

Baron won’t opt out of this contract, it’s just too much money. If he has the stones to opt out he will be my hero forever. His best bet is to keep his mouth shut during the off season, play his ass off during the upcoming season and take the Dubs to the playoffs. After that, who knows, maybe he’s worth $30-40 million to some team.

All the predicions last summer about how Baron was going act in order to force Mullin’s hand in order to get an extension never came true. Instead he spoke with Jerry West and came into traing camp with a positive and professional attitude and the expected blow up never occured. At 29, he might be mature enough to do the one thing that will maintain/keep his value within the league and that will be to make the 2008-09 season his best as a Warrior. Who knows?

SJ Expat

Taking back any big, long term contracts would be counter productive no matter who we took back. Even if they gave us Lee and their pick, we would be taking back horrendous contracts. Which would mean we wouldn’t be able to actually build a team around Monta and Andris because of the stiffs we had to take back.

ur kidding, right?

BlueJohn, that is a naive take. Baron himself knows that his time is coming to an end. What if he plays next year without a multi-year contract and he tears a ligament? Exactly.

If I was a Baron I would be looking for a way to keep the 17 mill and get something for 3-4 years at around $10 mill/year. Not sure if any team would go for it, but that is what he will be looking for. Wouldn’t you?

steve

Baron Davis for Shawn Marion straight up…helps both teams right? Marion is an obvious upgrade with his skill package. Davis allows Miami to focus on Beasley if Rose goes to Chicago.

Drew

As much as I’d love to see the W’s get to wipe 20+ million from their cap space by taking Starbury as well as get David Lee and the Knicks #6 pick, how would this help the W’s? It wouldn’t and the W’s would be back in the lottery next season, and all the good will built by the past two seasons would be wasted. There’s no fantastic players that are likely to be allowed to hit the free agent market next off season, and there’s little to no chance of the W’s season ticket holders re-upping with raised prices once again, all with the prospect of a finish behind the Sacramento Kings.

Kenny Seagle

Tim….R U the same guy as crag wilson?

Barfighter

The opinions you continue to put out on this blog are they based on real inside sources or just provocative conjecture. Your apparent bias against Baron seems to preclude you from any behavior that would be considered rational and reasoning journalism. Your ridicule of Newsdays assertion about Ellis eying New York seems pretty inconsistent since you do not acknowledge a source concerning Baron possibly becoming a detriment to the team if he doesn’t receive a sizable contract extension for the coming season.
Kawaman you should be singing the praises of the New York papers since you are now a west coast version of their sensationalism.

Baron merely played his heart out for this franchise this past season and has been a major component to it’s ressurection from years of irrelevance. And to constantly remind people of his past behavior whith another franshise and not aknowledge his growth and maturity whith the current one shows your lack thereof.

Example:”if Baron opts-out on June 30th i’ll salute him. that’d take guts. I actually dare him to do that. Do it BD, prove me wrong”. What kind of nonsense is that? Once again Kawa you show your amatuer side.

Barfighter !

kr

Trading Baron would be a mistake. He won’t opt-out, so let him play next season – or should I say audition – for a huge free agent contract.

I love the idea of Baron playing in a contract year. As TK points out, Baron might mope, but that won’t get him what he wants – paid.

Let his agent make noise. Let Baron demand a trade. Mullin has Baron where he wants him. Can Baron really complain about getting paid $17M? Can he afford to tank it when he knows next year’s contract will be his final shot at big, big money?

This is a relationship made in Warriors heaven. Don’t trade him. If he opts out, let him go. A fat-and-happy Baron is one who plays 50 games a year.

Sean

“It’s who he is”??? What the hell does that mean? BD has, for the most part, given the Ws a great effort. Yeah, he crapped out towards the end of this last season, but who wouldn’t with two years of over 45 MPG?

I don’t think he’s a huge part of the Ws future and they certainly shouldn’t pay him the bigger bucks, but is there a reason you’re so down on BD’s character?

“Believe me, if Baron opts-out on June 30, I’ll salute him. That’d take guts. I actually dare him to do that. Do it, BD, prove me wrong.”

This comment upset me a bit – sounded too baiting for me – especially to a guy who has actually made the Warriors exciting to watch again! Baron is no Zito, thank you Barry much – Baron has arguably earned his keep (by NBA standards) while with the W’s – he’s played at a high level – near All Star caliber-level during his time with the Ws. Baron has helped turn around our horrible franchise and played for a coach he probably despised (Baron, UCLA, Montgomery, Stanford). Sure there are knocks on BD which include injuries, poor shot selection, questionable attitude, and being tired at season’s end. I’ll take the good with the bad as no one’s perfect.

IF I WERE MULLY
Work with Baron/Todd – Either sign Baron to a longer-term deal favorable to both parties or if not, work with Todd on a sign and trade favorable to all parties… Making Baron play out his final year is risky given Baron’s time in New Orleans, remember? How did Mully acquire Baron on the cheap in the first place? Crappy attitude in New Orleans… That’s what’ll do BD in here in Oaktown. Then we’ll be forced to dump him to get rid of the cancer – and possibly poor rate of exchange.

If I were Baron/Todd, I would exercise the option, stay in Oaktown, then broker a longer-term deal for a sign and trade. Something like Tim’s Baron for Brand idea or my preference – Baron for Shawn Marion (Marion might fit in nicely with the W’s! Although Tim might have mentioned Miami or Riley not liking BD’s game/defense?) or Baron for Artest, etc…

Baron/Todd need to be POSITIVE and PROACTIVE – work with Mully (and Mully work with them), should Mully know that a long-term deal isn’t in the plans. Baron’s earned that respect, right? Treat Baron with some respect and earn a decent reputation around the league – otherwise, who’d want to play for us down the road?

No one will want Baron if he goes negative and has to play out the season with a bad attitude (worst case scenario for both parties – W’s and BD). This will force Mully to make a less than favorable trade (see New Orleans, although everyone knows they hit the jackpot with Chris Paul! Just think if New Orleans got more from the W’s!).

Chris From New York

The only trade Donnie Walsh would do for B.D. is Zach Randolph straight up, I believe their salary match-up and he may throw Balkman in the deal. Now if you want to get creative, I would throw Nate Robinson and the Golden State can throw in the 14th pick. The fool has left New York.

I love how this TE has taken on almost mythic purportions. I can see it now, 5 years from now, when the Warriors are back to not making the playoffs (or on the brighter side, just short of the finals) we will be looking back at all the players that got away (Richmond, Sprewell, Webber…and the others that went on to become All-Stars, but in hindsight don’t really deserve to be mentioned; i.e. Chris Gatling, Tyrone Hill – oh wait, I just mentioned them)…and the TE.

I can see the comment now:

“Oh man, the Warriors suck…they let all their best players get away…and they let the TE get away!!”

Regardless of whether or not they use the TE I’m glad they freed up cap space by trading JRich and are now more able to sign Ellis and Biedrins.

“No one will want Baron if he goes negative and has to play out the season with a bad attitude (worst case scenario for both parties – W’s and BD). This will force Mully to make a less than favorable trade”

Not going to happen…

First of all, BD has to play his heart out one more year for a chance at new contract for big $$$. Second, BD and Scott did not get along. That isn’t the case with the Dubs. He loves Nellie and his teammates. Third, NO had to give BD away when he still had a big anchor contract. Mully now has the great trade position of a high $$$ expiring contract to pick up the PF of our dreams.

don

Zach or Curry, let’s think about this for a minute. Change of scenery, up tempo, lose some weight, bang some boards, give us some low post offense….hmmm. Maybe not BD but Harrington and 14, not sure about the salary match but I recall Zach Randolph was once a good player, with a prickly attitude. Nellie handles both of those and bingo we are bangin with Boozer. How about these stats from last year 17.6ppg 10.3rpg. 27 years old. Did anyone say power forward….Worth a look?

Skot

First of all, you have not read the complete story. That is apparent by how you take exception to the Ellis part of it. The story clearly says that if the Warriors match the mid-level exception, then they would not have enough left to sign Biedrins AND the rest of the team as only 7 are signed up to a contract.

What kind of reporting is this? Did you miss that part or were you being selective in trying to be sensational? I wish people stop becoming judgemental about other people and just worry about their own work.

So, are the NY reporters the only ones that indulge the agents and put out what they hear? You are just being silly. Open any newspaper around the country and the local reporter always tries to put out the stories that they hear. It is a way of keeping the fans involved as well as keeping their newspaper in circulation. Your notion that bringing the NY reporters down would show you in better light is wrong and is just pathetic. You can only shine in the light that you create by your own work and not by somebody else’ bad work. Grow up.

Bluejohn

Ur_kidding,

I don’t think I’m being naive but think about it. What are BD’s options?

1. He and his agent may (may being the operative word here) negotate a sign and trade with the Warriors.

2. He can sulk through the season reinforcing his old reputation as a cancer and making GM’s across the league reluctant to sign him and basically reducing his future value.

3. He can opt out now and throw himself on the mercy of the market in a year where most of the league doesn’t have a lot of cap space for an aging, often injured, almost elite player.

4. He can renegotiate a new contract with the GSW’s
this summer. (Don’t think that’s going to happen)

5. After he opts in, assuming he does, he can be traded straight up. Agaiin, not likely.

6. He can do what I (and others here) suggested which is to come in to camp ready to play and lead this team to the best result they can attain. He’s going to be paid something like $215,000 per game. Barring injury, he is still going to have significant value after next season is over.

My guess is that he opts in and is traded in February if the young guys play to the level we expect them to. Who really knows?

Rasheed

Marbs + #6 for Baron, make it happen.

pql

SOMEONE FIRE THIS FOOL!!!

Tim, I have stood by and read your worthless rantings many times (i know, but 8 hours of boredom daily at work will drive a man to do some insane things). I have never read any story by you that is well thought out or even mildly entertaining.

The Merc should fire you, and have Adam Lauridsen (writer of the warriors fast break blog) take over your duties.

You are a moron.

Bob

Tim as usual you are all over the field with ridiculous thoughts. Do your job Tim ask Baron or his agent some questions. Lemme guess no one associated with Baron will talk to you? Can’t imagine why since you try to bad mouth him any chance you get.

Tim, do what ya do. good article from a practical point of view. I dont see a baron baised point of view. Tim is looking at track record combined with the current situation factored in. Baron was in a contract year mentality and it was entirely selfless act with the wariors best interests at heart. him playing all 82 was driven from that $$$. period. I LOVE BD’s game and him opting out would hurt but i believe Mully has a vision and have faith it will prove dividends soon as the higharchy in the west changes.

1. Z-bo for Harrington with a cap filler is the only way I’d touch the knicks roster.
2. Offer Diddy 10 per year flat or decending contract ext. like Kirk H. WHEN Baron DOESNT opt out.
3. Draft DJ augustin
4. Match offers for monta and andris regardless
5. Keep two of the three (barnes, peitrus, and bukie)
at resonable contracts
6. Check captain jacks 3 point shooting
7. play wright and andris at the same consistently
8. give marco a legit opportunity to prove himself in a game that means something

And we will be fine regardless of what diddy does. And for you naive salary cap fans out there, dont forget we wiped adonals contract off the books this next year paying a prorated percentage of the buyout. we got flexability.

Brian

lol. i thought everything tim said was pretty much on point. we all know how baron is when he doesn’t get his way. as someone stated before, a happy-and-fat baron only plays 50 games. i wouldn’t be shelling out money for this guy because it’s a liability down the road. and if he wants to gripe about his 17mil contract, then screw it. you don’t want that to be a distraction in the locker room. but with that said, i don’t think mullin should be forced into making a god awful trade just to please baron. whether its the knicks, heat, clippers or whatever…just make sure we get some decent value in return, not some fat pieces of trash in Randolph or Curry.

We lose all our 3 point shooters but then none of them were all that good at it anyway. Belinelli (39%) shot threes better than any of the three guys we lose and I would expect the 3-point shot is Monta’s #1 priority this off season. My guess is that he would be able to match Baron’s average (33%) next season. The Warriors get their big men and there wll be a lot of good PG’s available at the #6 pick.

Losing Jax would sting a bit, but is he really part of the W’s long term plan? The Warriors get real young (once Marbury is gone). It’s a real stretch of the imagination, but hey, why not dream big.

Norm in the bay

Excellent piece!! (by Tim)

Damon

I could see baron getting traded before the trade deadline, sepending on how the season goes and depending on what Chris Mullin thinks his options are

Damon

depending not sepending

thank me very much

Scotty

Skot, you are confused I assume. The point is that if the Warriors could actually sign Monta to the mid level exception, then they would be living a dream. The very notion that the Dubs wouldn’t match an offer that paid him the mle is laughable. In fact, it is idiotic beyond description. I guarantee right now Mullin is planning on spending considerably more money on Old School than the mle if it’s necessary, and there will be more than enough room to sign AB as well.

It’s so funny that you got butt hurt over TK dissing NY media.

By the way, grow up

Patty

Good points Tim,

I think you are spot on. The article you referenced to reads like a tabloid newspaper. The only thing that was missing was a Photoshopped picture of an angry Davis facing off a stern Mullin.

While Davis was a part of the Warriors success, and one could claim that he might be the biggest reason for their success, who is to say that he was the only reason? He’s not going to get $17 million a year. He knows it. We know it. He has no choice but the stay and play hard. Because if he coasts like he did last year in the end, everyone can simply say that he doesn’t have the stamina or the body strength to stay healthy without taking it easy. A 30+ year old basketball player may be young in terms of the world, but he’s an old maid in the NBA.

Oh, you might have to update your picture now, I don’t think you have that much hair these days =P.

nik408

I don’t know how you guys are so quick to jump off Barons bandwagon. I understand that the sporting industry is a business and people move around a lot, but Baron hasn’t done anything to the Warriors to warrant us giving him the boot. I also understand he has issues, but we knew that 3 years ago. This is so typical Bay Area fanlike..(ie. Barry Bonds). You turn your back to their problems and idolize them, then all of a sudden “oh I’m so tired of this and that and whatnot”. until I hear Baron come out and say “i want this or i want that” I’m on his side. Don’t get me wrong, Tim, I agree with what you’re saying, but I think this is premature.

Woodrow Howe

The Warriors are a very good team on paper, but suffer personality problems from the head coaches, players, and management. Baron has a chance to be apart of the greatest show in the NBA, but if he wants Hollywood money, then he will be responsible for the collapse of a franchise. He needs to take a page from Tim Duncan who could be asking for 30 million a year and he wouldn’t be wrong in doing so, but he takes paycuts to keep his team together. Don Nelson needs to rest his trio more often and management needs to be prepared to spend some money to sign players even if it means going over the cap a little. No team will win a championship if all it worries about is the salary cap. They’re just going keep cutting their quality players and will be stuck in a cycle of rebuilding.

Use the TE for Chris Wilcox who is perfect for what Nelson is looking for and they could add in one of their plentiful FC which we also need. Trade Harrington for Ron Artest or use the TE with a sign-and-trade. Artest at SG is just going to make us top 3 in the West with Wilcox and Jose Calderon after we let go Matt Barnes.

I did the math and it came out to 61 million for 9 players without counting in Biedrins and Ellis. That leaves about 9 million for them and 1 or 2 more reserves.

auggie

Guys, you think nobody is interested in Baron ? I have a feeling, Mark Cuban, maybe interested. Jason Kidd is through in Dallas. He may have a season , but that’s it. Cuban will be looking for a replacement.

Son of Ahmed

Pretty ironic. The guy blogging all day at work (#24) thinks TK should be fired.

Matt

Personally, I’d like to see the Warriors offer Baron a long-term deal that works for both him and the team. It seems many people have forgotten where the Warriors were not even 2 1/2 years ago. I don’t see Baron calling out the team in the media, I don’t see him making trouble off the court. His play may frustrate us at times but I also blame Nellie for that: to ask Baron to do as much as he does is insane! What the Warriors need is to get a young point guard that can be groomed by Baron so when Baron’s 3 or 4 year deal is up, can step right in with Monta and keep things going. If we lose Baron, all of the progress made the past 2 1/2 seasons are gone. This team enjoys each other and I enjoy watching them.

Matt

As a follow-up: taking Ty Lawson with the 14th pick works for me. With Monta you don’t need a point guard who can put up 20+ a game, you need a distributor. And Lawson is great at distributing…and he is damn fast!